Fonds UKC.ATHL - University of King's College Athletic Records Collection

Sports teams and leagues have existed at the University of King's College since it's early days in Windsor, Nova Scotia. However, a formal Department of Athletics did not exist until around 1971, when the position of Athletics Director was created. Prior to this, sports were organized mainly by student societies, such as the King's College Amateur Athletic Association (K.C.A.A.A, sometimes called CUBE or C.U.B.E). The first student sport-related society was the Three Elms Cricket Club, which was founded in the 1850s. The King's Board supported these organizations by sometimes giving them money, which eventually progressed to an annual grant, but sports were still largely students' responsibility. In Windsor, a field was mainly used for sporting events, though there is mention of a gym on the lower side of the Collegiate School in 1912; when King’s moved to Halifax, a gymnasium was built underneath the chapel; finally, a purpose-built gymnasium opened in 1963, called the Muir Gymnasium, which is still in use to this day.

In 1950, the Board considered hiring a Sports Director, but this never came to fruition. They considered it again in 1959, but it wasn’t until 1971 that an Athletics Director position was created and hired. The President's Report of 1971 said that the Athletic Director's duties were to organize the athletic and recreational program in consultation with the K.C.A.A.A. and the K.C.G.A.A.A. (King’s College Girls Amateur Athletic Association): "He monitors the conditions of the pool and gym and is in contact with the Bursar who oversees maintenance of the facilities.” They also formed an Athletics Council, consisting of the Director, a member of the Board of Governors, the administration, the alumni association, and the faculty, as well as four representatives from the student body, bringing the council to a total of nine members. This council was responsible for setting policy on athletics and recreation, preparing an athletic budget, supervising athletic and recreational programs, creating policy for and organizing supervision of the gym and swimming pool, and reporting annually to the Board of Governors. In 1978, the King’s College Calendar finally included a separate section on athletics, and in 1985, this section became more detailed, describing varsity sports and the structure of King’s athletic programme. The position of Athletics Coordinator was established in 2003, but was abolished in 2009 due to budget cuts.

Today, the Department of Athletics consists of the Athletics Director, the Athletics Administrator, and the Varsity Assistant. Varsity sports include soccer, basketball, rugby, badminton, and volleyball (women’s only). Intramural sports are still open for those at King’s who wish to compete recreationally, and the King’s gym is used by students for fun and fitness. The athletics department at King's is described in the 2024/2025 calendar thus:

The Department of Athletics is an integral part of campus life at King’s. We provide an all-inclusive facility and offer both competitive and recreational sporting outlets.

The King’s gymnasium boasts one of the best hardwood surfaces in the province, a state of the art dance studio, a cardio room and a weight room. The dance studio is ideal for a range of activities, including yoga, dance and self-defence courses. The weight room has a variety of free weights to suit all needs and the cardio room offers all the standard machines. Students have access to all of these amenities whenever they are available.

King’s students also have access to the newly renovated and rebuilt Dalplex, Dalhousie’s sports complex. They also have access to Dalhousie’s intramural and club activities, with a few minor exceptions. A detailed list of what is offered each year is available on the King’s website at www.ukings.ca. UKC Athletics also provides employment opportunities for close to thirty students through gym staff, minor officials, and webcast broadcasting opportunities.

For the varsity athlete, King’s offers one of Nova Scotia’s best opportunities for those who wish to combine the pursuit of academic excellence with an equal commitment to their chosen sport. King’s affords the student athlete a unique environment in which to enjoy a close-knit community atmosphere coupled with challenging athletic competition. The University is a member of both the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association and the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association. Varsity teams compete in soccer, rugby, badminton, basketball and volleyball (women’s only).

The King’s Athletics Department strives to create a dynamic opportunity for the student who wishes to remain involved in athletics and fitness after completing high school. From Varsity to recreational programs, the College offers a surprisingly wide range of exciting and enjoyable activities from which to choose. UKC Athletics aims to provide an inclusive environment for all.

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(Description taken from here: https://academiccalendar.ukings.ca/20242025calendar/part/athletics/ Accessed: April 16, 2025)